MODERN MONOCHROME
The formal dining room is almost a thing of the past these days with open-plan kitchen and dining areas the new norm. Entertaining friends and family is more sociable in an open-plan space as everyone can be part of the action, including the cook. Kiwis have fallen in love with open-plan living as it suits our casual eating habits and love of indoor-outdoor flow, particularly during the warmer months. However, these types of spaces can be tricky to style as there are so few walls to work with.
When it comes to dining areas, it’s all about zoning the space while allowing access to adjoining areas such as the kitchen and living room. Here are a few tips on how to style an open-plan dining area, from choosing the right table and chairs to furniture placement and cool accessory suggestions.
DINING IN
Before you buy your dining table, there are a few things you should consider. First, how many people does it need to accommodate on a regular basis? What type of activities will the table be used for – homework, arts and crafts, dinner parties, poker nights or just casual dining? By thinking through every possible scenario, you’ll be able to narrow down the best size and surface to suit your needs.
A solid wooden table can be quite expensive but will stand the test of time and can always be sanded down and refinished if needed. Alternatively, many on-trend tables are made from a hard-wearing veneer or laminate which can be more affordable than solid wood. Luxelooking marble tables are making a comeback and seem to work with various interior styles, but marble can be high-maintenance due to its porous nature, so keep this in mind and ask the supplier if it’s right for your family.
Glass tables were popular in the 1980s and 1990s but are very polarising – people either love or hate them. If you have a small space, a glass table is great as it allows light to pass through and has a subtle reflective quality.
Don’t forget to consider the style of the other furniture in your home when choosing a table. Draw on these styles or colours (or both) when making your selection.
NEAT SEATS
The great news is that there is an almost endless array of stylish dining chairs out there, and there really aren’t any right or wrong options – just be guided by your taste and your budget.
While matching dining suites used to be very popular, a more mix-and-match approach is gaining favour these days. If you entertain a lot and like to spend time at the table, a comfy chair with an upholstered seat and/or back is worth considering. Chairs with arms are great if you enjoy long, lazy dinner parties.
The most popular style of dining chair features either a solid wood or veneer seat which is low-maintenance and easy to wipe down. Rattan and woven leather chairs are great for adding texture to a dining space and can break up the solidity of your table.
In classic or traditional-style interiors you’ll sometimes see matching chairs with a different style at the head and foot of the table, which can look fabulous. Eclectic settings where all the chairs are different styles or colours can be fun, too. Try out some different arrangements and see what works for you.
Imre gold vessel (lower shelf), $109, Rogue
orchid arrangement, $299, from Freedom. Tam chairs in smoked oak, $340 each, from Bauhaus. Large brass mirror, $495, from Me and My Trend. Smoked glass jug, $8, smoked glass tumblers, $8 each, from The Warehouse. Glazed grey pot (with plant), $12, glazed lidded container, $4, grey glass
vase, $10, all from Kmart. Lena brass tray,
$109, from Country Road. San Diego stone
planter (top shelf), $29.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond. Brass pot (top shelf), $119.80 for two, Donna brass tray (on table), $109, from Citta. Books and plants (except orchids) stylist’s own. Wall painted in Resene ‘Mountain Mist’.